Where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City – Restaurants 2025

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Imagine, it’s your first night in Vietnam. You just got of the plane, hungry and dying to try Vietnamese food. Lu Dai Viet restaurant on Bui Vien walking street at your service. Banh Mi, spring rolls, Pho, all the well known Vietnamese dishes are present. Your companions that prefer Western food can go for the burgers or burritos. Even your vegetarian friends will find something to their liking on the menu.

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Maybe you always wanted to try “Bun Cha” ever since you saw Barack Obama munching on a bowl together with the late Anthony Bourdain. Well, opportunity knocks at Bun Cha 145, also on Bui Vien walking street. Great taste, swift service and for VND60,000 you can’t go wrong. The small menu mentions a few other dishes as well, but you should only come here for the Bun Cha.

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Beautifully decorated and very busy Ho Chi Minh City restaurant. Well visited by foreigners and locals with a reasonable price level despite its popularity. Nha Hang Ngon offers all the usual suspect Vietnamese food dishes. We ordered the Southern style banh xeo, spring rolls of course and garlic/chili shrimps, all very good. Service is friendly, swift and accurate. Beware the 10% service charge on top of the menu price.

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So happy to find that the Cuc Gach Quan old skool restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City is still cooking up a storm. With old skool we mean interior, decoration, traditional home cooked meals, friendliness, service and even the price level. The menu is so extensive we needed the staff to assist us. Although I can not reiterate the names of the dishes (except for the exceptional thit kho tau), they were all outstanding. Even the Michelin guide seems to think so.

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Hoa Tuc is not the cheapest, but definitely one of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City for an introduction to Vietnamese cuisine. Good clean food, well prepared and beautifully presented. We tried fresh spring rolls with prawn and squid for appetizers, yum. The Cha Ca La Vong turmeric fish was on par with the original Hanoi version. Nice atmosphere as well, very busy but not hectic. We ended up with a bill of VND1,500,000. As said, not the cheapest, but worth it.

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Seated in the courtyard terrace, you imagine yourself in Paris. Unwind with an excellent wine and a tasty cheese platter. When daylight fades, move inside the stunningly decorated brasserie for a classic French meal. Salad Nicoise, Boeuff Bourguignon and Duck Confit are just a few of the classics served by the Refinery. Prices are surprisingly affordable. Well, if you go easy on the wine that is. They even feature a VND340,000 three course set lunch.

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We all need pizza, even in Saigon food paradise. But not just any pizza! Pizza 4P’s is a Vietnamese restaurant chain with several branches in Ho Chi Minh City that takes pizza to another level. We tried many of their toppings over the years, but this time around we chose Shrimp Mayonnaise and Salmon Miso Cream. Daring, surprising and both very, very good. Italians might think it’s blasphemy, but I dare you to try it before having an opinion.

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There are two Bep Me In restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Both are in district 1 and specialize in Vietnamese fusion cuisine. Yes, they target tourists, but don’t let that put you off. They serve a blend of traditional flavors with creative twists. Altogether, the cozy atmosphere, inventive menu and great food presentation guarantees a unique dining experience.

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Look up “best banh mi in Saigon” online and you’ll find “Banh Mi Huynh Hoa”. I agree, their banh mi (VND65,000) is very good. However, an even better and superb banh mi can be found just a stone’s throw away around the corner at “Banh Mi Hong Hoa” (what’s in a name). Mouthwatering banh mi (VND48,000), packed with flavorful fillings and served on crispy home baked baguettes.

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Slick Vietnamese restaurant with a propaganda theme…duh! Propaganda targets tourists, and since we are tourists as well, we gave it a try. We liked the interior with murals depicting vintage propaganda posters. The menu is a list with the usual suspect Vietnamese dishes, such as spring rolls, pho and banh mi. We ordered them all and truth be told, it was pretty good. As to be expected, prices are a tad higher than the usual and subject to 5% service charge and 8% VAT.

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Try to combine your visit to the War Remnants Museum with a meal at Hum, which is right next door. Their new building is kind of “crazy beautiful” inside and out. More important, this is one of the better – Vietnamese/International fusion – vegetarian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Out of the box dishes with impeccable presentation and the potential to turn even hardcore carnivores. They also have a branch in District 2 – Hum Garden with the same menu.

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Busy place that has been around for more than 50 years. The Pho here is excellent! Choose which parts of beef you want in your Pho. VND90,000 for a bowl isn’t exactly the cheapest in town, but you’ll get high quality Pho in a clean environment. We ordered banh quay (fried dough sticks) to go with our Pho, so good. They have an English menu that also features spring rolls and bao.

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Eating Thai food in Vietnam? Well, why not, if it’s good it’s good, and Tuk Tuk Thai is more than good. I only realized how much I had missed Tom Yum after trying a hot and spicy bowl here. Also the Massaman beef curry was as good as in Thailand. The restaurant is modern and spacious, so not exactly a mom and pop place, which is reflected in the prices. Still affordable though.

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One of those restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City that is very accessible for tourists. On the other hand, we did see quite a few locals dining here as well. The interior is so colorful it hurt my eyes, but the food is outstanding. Whether it’s pork belly, steak, seafood or vegan dishes, there’s something for everyone. We shared a selection of Vietnamese starters and a whole lot of shrimp, fried, grilled and ceviche style. As Den Long is popular with tourists, expect tourist prices.

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Real, authentic Vietnamese food, no frills. Step out of your comfort zone and into this TL lit, canteen like, family eatery. Eat like a local and feast on Goi Du Du Bo, Banh He and the signature Bot Chien. Minimal cost, maximum taste. We sooo liked the Banh He (VND37,000), a fried taro/egg cake with lots of chives and served with green papaya on the side. Simple, fresh, tasty food and so much fun to see the aunties baking out front of the popular Vietnamese restaurant.

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Another great vegetarian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City with surprising flavors and impeccable food presentation. Talk about a “hidden gem”! Try to find Chay Garden as it’s literally hidden in a small alley. The chestnut/mushroom soup was fantastic and perfectly seasoned, although a tad expensive (VND165,000). Also, you should try the tofu with tamarind, very original. We also saw vegetarian hot-pot being served, which looked very appetizing.

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This Ho Chi Minh City restaurant chain with 6 branches in town serve their interpretation of the famous “Cha Ca Le Vuong” dish. Originally a dish from Hanoi, but copied all over Vietnam. Cook your own fish at your table family style or have the staff assist you. Like the original version, add turmeric and lots of dill. Maybe not as refined as the the original, but it sure is tasty. Cha Ca De Vuong offers great deals on combos and the whole concept is just a lot of fun.

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Small, unassuming eatery that serves original Cantonese food. We tried the Har Gow, Siu Mai and Ngau Cheung, all very good. The best dish however, was the crispy pork belly and Char Siu combo, excellent! Dim Sum Ong Sui is always very busy and it took a while before we were served. Definitely worth the wait though, we felt right back in Hong Kong. The menu is not in English, but fortunately it has images of all the dishes.

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Pho is the national dish of Vietnam and served in many places, but where to find the best? Easy, just follow the locals. Pho Le is always packed with locals and not because their Pho is the cheapest, because it’s not. Is it the best? That’s kind of subjective, but according to the locals it’s one of the best at least. After trying a hearty bowl myself, I tend to agree. A fragrant, almost sweet broth, silky smooth noodles, large chunks of beef and excellent meat balls.

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We are always on a budget, but sometimes you have to indulge. So, off to the Deck restaurant we went. The setting right on the riverfront is gorgeous, as are the interior’s aesthetics. The whole has a relaxing and loungy feel to it. Also, food-wise they are doing everything right. Predominantly Western and a few Asian fusion dishes that are executed to perfection. We spent a pleasant and delicious evening here despite the large bite from our wallet.

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There’s always room for a good ole burger. And what a burger they serve at Soul Burger. District 2 is expat territory, so the customers here know their beef patties. Fortunately Soul Burger doesn’t disappoint. This might very well be the best hamburger joint in Saigon, maybe even the whole of Vietnam. I tried the Atomic Smash Triple Burger with Carolina reaper sauce…hot! The side of fries with melted cheddar has since become my all-time favorite.

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Com Tam is Vietnam’s favorite breakfast dish and we completely understand why. Broken rice topped with caramelized pork chop, fried egg, spicy garlic fish sauce, pickles and shredded pork skin. Nobody does it better than Com Tam Ba Hai in district 7. Enjoy an authentic and cheap breakfast shoulder to shoulder with locals in the no frills dining room. Don’t leave Vietnam without having tried a proper Com Tam.

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Such a nice location near the water in one of the newer developed parts of Saigon. Boomerang offers Western cuisine with an Asian twist. Tuna and beef tataki, steaks, hamburgers, pasta and pizza. Not the cheapest, but fitting right in with all the other slighty upscale restaurants that dominate the promenade. We shared a barbecued meat platter, which was really good. Only point of criticism would be the underwhelming desserts.

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This is actually a vintage apartment building dedicated to coffee shops. A collective space that houses multiple cafes with diverse themes, making it a unique coffee destination. 9 stories of hip and happening places to hang out with friends or maybe do some work. Check out all the floors and cafes to pick one you like, whether it’s a jazz theme, vegan, hi-tech or English tea room. It’s unique and fun, with a large bookstore on ground level. Look it up, google it.

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A specialty coffee shop focusing on high-quality beans and brewing methods. The result is excellent coffee in a peaceful environment and we finally got some work done. This part of the Binh Thanh district is bustling with an incredible amount of food options, especially Japanese? However, Bel Coffee Wine is located in a small quiet alley. A tranquil haven where you can enjoy a relaxed quality brew. Espresso VND55,000. Latte VND75,000.

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Another great Quan Ca Phe in Binh Thanh district. Song Ca Phe is lively, but the first floor is equipped with workstations and quiet. Moreover, they open 24hours, so you can work the night away. The building has a lot of glass so it’s light and airy with a good atmosphere. As for the coffee, it’s nothing special, but certainly ok. We even tried a cold brew, but not a fan. Some of the pastries however, in particular the fruit croffles were very satisfying. Espresso VND50,000, Latte VND59,000.

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This was our go to place for brekkie, because OMG those pancakes, so fluffy and tasty. If you’re not into pancakes, there’s bound to be something else on the menu for you. How about a sourdough sandwich, or the perfect eggs Benedict? The coffee at the Melbourne Cafe is Aussie inspired, so flat white, long black, etc. Espresso VND45,000, Latte VND70,000. We did see people with their laptops, but the place is always very lively. Might be difficult to actually get some work done.

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Love this coffee shop/bistro/boutique store. Everything is aesthetically beautiful here. Beautiful building, beautiful interior, beautiful food and gorgeous coffee. The menu is a mix of Western and Eastern style comfort food, but all prepared extremely well. Think club sandwich, sliders, pho and chicken rice. Also, salads, spaghetti and a top of the bill all day breakfast. Espresso VND65,000, cappuccino VND85,000. They have more branches in Saigon, but we visited the one at Le Thanh Ton in district 1.

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A popular chain with branches all over the city. It’s Vietnam’s answer to Starbucks, but with better coffee. Each branch looks a little different, but has the same nostalgic setting. Apparently the design was inspired by the founder’s childhood memories. The coffee at Cong Ca Phe is Vietnamese style, so “phin drip” coffees all around. You should also try their signature coconut coffee VND55,000, thank me later. Black coffee VND29,000, latte VND45,000.

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Markets and their surroundings are always a good place to find street food in Ho Chi Minh City. More than 13,000m2 and situated in a 100 year old building of French architecture. Plenty of food vendors near the Northern entrance. After 6pm when the regular market closes, the surrounding streets are completely taken over by street food stalls and the food fest continues.

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Just a stone’s throw from the Western restaurants, bars and food craze of Pham Ngu Lao, Co Giang is a genuine Vietnamese street food experience. In the midst of hot wok steam and barbecue smoke there’s a plethora of food that you’ve never tried before. Feast on Bo La Lot, grilled beef in betel leaf at the Hoang Yen eatery, or Banh Tranh Nuong, Vietnamese Pizza.

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Also dubbed “Seafood Street”, because its famed for its seafood stalls. This is where young Saigonese hipsters hang out for street party and food fest. It’s definitely a lively street where fire eaters, street dancers and singers add to the vibrant atmosphere. Grill your own octopus, snails or any seafood on a coal stove at your table.

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You’ll have to wait until the sun sets for Nguyen Thuong Hien Street to come alive with multiple street food vendors. Every night from 7pm to 11pm all the well known Vietnamese delicacies, including Banh Mi, Pho, spring rolls and everything grilled on a stick are presented. Vendors put out makeshift sidewalk seating areas, so grab a steaming bowl of Sup Cua – Crab soup and enjoy.

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Street food is everywhere in Cho Lon and the small alleys give it that kind of neighborhood feel. Young and old, families and groups of friends all come together to bond while eating. Food stalls, bars and small restaurants cramp the narrow alleyways where hungry locals make their way to their favorite bao bun stand. We tried a Chinese curry and a spicy bun bo hue at the Phung Hung market, both delicious. Also, some of best “che desserts” can be found here.